Fred, there are good teachers and bad teachers just like employees in any other business out there. Education is important and that is why it is mandatory to education our children in this country. I don't think anyone would disagree with you on that. Coming from a long line of family teachers myself I believe they deserve more money than they are making, but as long as they are paid by the taxpayer they will be expected to live at a reasonable rate just like those who pay their salaries. Personally I don't care if they are only at their job 7 hours a day 180+ days a year and I know many of them work much longer hours. It's the few who don't and are not held accountable that irk the taxpayer. The teachers union is to blame for what it has done in the state of Pennsylvania. PA is only one of 13 states left that allow teachers strikes and let's face it if the teachers didn't walk out on the taxpayer and our children I don't think you'd hear people "bashing" them. Also, if they want to strike (and it is their right to do so) then they should suffer the same consequences other people do. Such as loss of pay and benefits while on strike. They only thing they lose is days towards their retirement. I believe as long as you are paid by the taxpayer (myself included, I am a government worker) you should not be allowed to strike. If a strike happens then it should be "okay" to not pay my taxes or be late with them the same number of days as the strike. I truly believe if strikes didn't happen or were illegal you would NOT hear people so upset with our educators. My child has been directly affected by a teachers strike for the last two years. If I thought for one second that paying them more money would give my child a better education I'd be behind them all the way. I've attended the school board meetings. I have been in awe at what I've heard. It's my opinion and again just my opinion, but I think the teachers union is the blame for so much of what happens between the board and the teachers. It's a shame that communities are ripped apart by strikes. It's such a sad time for all involved. I will add that with the economy right now there are very few teaching jobs available in PA. Many have been laid off around the country and in the State of PA. I think that if the teachers union would address/acknowledge what the taxpayers are going through right now it would help mend the anger between them all. I only wish I had the right answer to this problem. Bashing the teachers is not the right thing to do, but then maybe they need to "respect" who is paying them also. Not that all of them don't, but knowing some of them on a personal level I've heard disrespect going both ways. How do you change it? First, stop going on strike. I know they feel it is their only leverage, but using our children as pawns is not right either.